London, ON – The Western Mustangs are extremely saddened to learn that we have lost another legendary member of our family with the passing of former football coach Larry Haylor.

Haylor passed away after complications following a heart attack earlier in the week while in Florida. A fighter to the end, he held on to allow those that he loved the most to be with him when he passed as he was surrounded by his wife of 54 years, Judy and his children Jordan, Jennifer, and Matthew.

"It is very difficult under the circumstances for me to put into words the impact Larry had on Western, university football in Canada and me personally," said Mustangs Head Coach Greg Marshall. "Larry was always there for me. When I had my first serious knee injury in football, he's the first one to call to tell me everything would be ok. When I decided to retire from pro football, he was the first one to call to ask me to come back to coach with him. When my best friend, Mike Kirkley, was killed in the tragic plane crash, it was Larry who called. I was coaching at McMaster at the time and I drove to London the next day so I could be with Larry so he could comfort and console me. When I was fired by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, it was Larry calling to say he'd like me to take over as Head Coach at Western. Larry was so much more than a successful football coach.  He was a caring, giving man that made a positive impact on the young men he coached."

This news comes mere days after the passing of Darwin Semotiuk, who Haylor took over the Mustangs football program from in 1984.

"It has been a difficult couple weeks for our Western Mustang family, and the loss of legendary Mustang football coach Larry Haylor is really hard to process," said Christine Stapleton, Western Director, Sport & Recreation. "Larry shaped the lives of many as a coach, a professor in the School of Kinesiology, and volunteer with the Special Olympics.  He was most proud of his family and took great joy in coaching his sons Jordan and Matt with the Mustangs.  As a visiting coach, I remember seeing him in the stands watching his daughter Jennifer play for the Mustangs basketball team. I want to wish my sincere condolences to his family and friends."

"The family appreciates those that have reached out as news has spread and we will need time to process this sudden and tragic event. We know how much he was loved by all those that had the pleasure to know him, and we know the memories and his legacy will live on. We take comfort in knowing that he and Darwin are together at this time as they started their journey at Western together and the families spent many holiday seasons together. Larry will be missed deeply, and we hope the memories we all have of him will help us get through this difficult time." the Haylor family said in a statement earlier today.

During his tenure with the Mustangs Haylor led the team to a 185-50-3 record which included two Vanier Cup titles in 1989 & 1994 as well as eight Yates Cup championships.

Haylor was named Ontario University Athletics Association Coach of the Year seven times, while twice being recognized as CIAU (Now U SPORTS) Coach of the Year. Haylor was also inducted into the London Sports Hall of Fame in 2012.

Haylor was a quarterback at the University of Saskatchewan for the 1966-67 seasons, and served as assistant coach from 1971-73. In 1974, Haylor moved east to Halifax to be the offensive coordinator of the Dalhousie Tigers. Before the season was over, he had left for London to work as the offensive co-coordinator with the Mustangs.

In addition to his coaching legacy, Larry made significant contributions to Western's academic mission. He joined the Faculty of Physical Education (now the School of Kinesiology) in 1975 as a lecturer and rose to the rank of associate professor. He taught in the areas of coaching, leadership, and growth and development and was active in the classroom until his retirement in 2011, at which time he was granted professor emeritus status.

"The Mustang family is devastated by the news of the sudden passing of another legend – Coach Larry Haylor. His influence on young people extended into the classroom as a professor in the School of Kinesiology. He made a difference and we will miss him. Our thoughts are with his family, his friends, and the many students/student-athletes who will also mourn his passing." said Jim Weese, Former Dean, Faculty of Health Sciences

Haylor was very involved with the Special Olympics and was a member of the Canadian Amateur Football Association National Sport Research Committee. He retired in 2006 but stayed involved with the Mustangs as he transitioned into the broadcast booth and served as colour commentary for the Mustangs Football broadcast on Newstalk 1290 CJBK alongside Tom McConnell.

"He was my coach for five years, my broadcast partner for the past nine seasons, and my friend. He was both generous in his time and wisdom, and even though he's in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame, his non-coaching advice to me as a husband, father, and person was even more valuable. The only thing that exceeded his passion for football, was the love for his family. I will miss his kind words, sharp analysis, and joy of life." said McConnell.

At this time the family is making arrangements for a celebration of life and we will share those with you here at westernmustangs.ca when they are available.

Please join us in sending our deepest condolences to the Haylor family.

We have compiled a number of messages of condolence along with memories of Coach Haylor that have been shared, Click Here to view them and to add your own use